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Topic Review (Newest First)

11-27-2012 08:22 PM

TexasCichlid

BGA is low flow and/or no nitrates. Once it is established, even if you fix the causes, it is a pain to get rid of. A proper dose of maracyn will deal with it. Follow the directions on the forums. You don't want to end up with an antibiotic resistant strain.

11-27-2012 08:16 PM

Jaguar

I am thinking about kicking this cyano with antibiotics while the tank is empty and uncycled as well. It's spreading really fast unfortunately. I have had a problem with cyano in every single tank I've had so far and it sucks. I don't know if it's my tap water or what. It was a huge issue in my low tech 33 gallon. I tried adding a powerhead for more flow, dosing KNO3 because I had no nitrates, Excel, DIY CO2... I had very low light as it was and nothing made it go away. I scrapped the tank because of it. I hope this doesn't happen here.

11-27-2012 04:19 AM

TexasCichlid

I would hit the tank with some Maracyn before the BGA gets out of hand and chokes the HC out if you are going to keep it.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

11-23-2012 12:14 PM

Jaguar

I posted that I pulled it out, but I didn't... I thought I was going to 100% for sure, but I got half way through lifting it up and decided to leave it and see what happens. So the HC is still in for now. The cyano is spreading pretty fast but it's only really on the HC so far. I vacced some of it out tonight.

I'd love to make a trip to Van but I don't have a car. Otherwise I might have taken you up on that cylinder offer. I can't find any locally.

11-23-2012 06:42 AM

Algae Beater

dude, you're in my province!

if you make it down to vancouver, I will be happy to supply you with plants, a cheap 5lb cylynder, diffuser, rocks / wood, hell i will even offer you some fish!

11-22-2012 11:04 PM

synaethetic

Did you really yank all that HC out? Yikes.

With the lighting you have, regardless of c02 injection, that HC would of grown. Ive seen it carpet in non-c02 tanks before.

Dose some H202 and use an airline tubing to suck out as much cyno as you can.

11-22-2012 04:47 AM

TexasCichlid

Let us know how it goes. The hardest thing about this hobby is having to change gears of a tank. It's also one of the most rewarding.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

11-21-2012 12:05 PM

Jaguar

I appreciate the offer but shipping it up here would probably kill ya.

I pulled out the HC and stuck it in a glass dish. I have a desk lamp that should keep it alive until I figure out what to do with it.

In other news, my Spec almost got blown up. Apparently when the water level gets low, the water in the compartment where the filter return hose is gets drained to the bottom. I had a heater in there and that happened... my boyfriend called me saying "there's a weird noise coming from the betta's tank".... the heater was making this creaking/ticking kind of noise... scared the crap out of me!! I filled it back up with water and it seems OK now, keeping an eye on it though, and I won't let the water level get that low again... (it wasn't even that low!)

11-21-2012 03:17 AM

concepts88

I have a new diffuser which is just sitting on my desk. If you need it. Pm me.

11-21-2012 02:01 AM

Jaguar

I appreciate the tips on saving money. I have done really well on it so far or I wouldn't still be here, thankfully. Don't have cable, don't even have a cell phone, and our internet bill is $25 a month (cheap cheap for here). I can't remember the last time I've seen a movie! One of my cats is diabetic, so a lot of my monthly expenses go towards him - insulin, testing supplies, syringes, food, etc. I don't like to complain about that because I love the guy to death and would rather starve before withhold him from essential medication, but sometimes it makes things tough. I've got a charity that helps out with some of it which is a blessing - they offered to pay half of his dental costs if I matched the other half so hopefully I can free up some more room on my credit card soon.

I could probably work my LED lights into low tech, but I don't know if I'd get enough money for my regulator to make it worth selling. I kinda ended up overpaying for it (shipping miscalc/tax/duty).

I guess if I go low tech all I need to worry about *right now* is getting my HC out of there (HOW do you go about pulling out HC with roots 2" into the substrate?) and restocking it with low light friendly plants. Sadly everything in that tank is literally all I have left. I lost a lot of plants including my beloved downoi... The only thing that really survived were my nana petite and java ferns (though I plan to use the needle leaf extensively in the scape so that's good because it was a huge PITA to find)

And also this. I swear I see cyano in my nightmares. I think it's my tap water, I haven't found another answer...

11-20-2012 07:25 PM

Oxl

Good advice so far, just settle for DIY CO2 or Excel for now and if you do need to sell the tank know that it being an ADA will allow you to get full price for it less the shipping costs you paid. Just stipulate that it is in flawless condition and advertise on Craigslist in a 300 mile radius - you'd sell it fast.

I went through a period of being poor about 8 years ago and learned lots of money saving techniques that keep my pocket full to this day. One of the big ones is to get yourself a PuR dispenser DS-1800Z and get used to drinking nothing but filtered tap water. It's not only much cheaper but healthier as well, breaking yourself from caffeine addiction is the hardest part - just use tea to abate headaches until you can free yourself from it completely and you'll find yourself sleeping better than ever.

Learning to cook from scratch can save you lots as well or at least only buy things that are on sale 2 for 1 at your local foodstore - go weekly and buy in bulk the things you eat regularly to last until the next sale. Everyone needs internet but ditch the cable TV - you can fill all your media needs online and life is way more peaceful without the constant bombardment of commercialism and propaganda.

11-20-2012 04:51 PM

tomfromstlouis

I think you've gotten some good ideas so far. While money is almost always an issue, I do not sense that it is THE issue here. This hobby can be done very inexpensively, as the many students and DIYers can attest.

It seems to me that your fear of failing to grow your plants is battling your enjoyment of a planted tank. This is a natural dichotomy and the way to tame it is to simply accept failures as part of the hobby. You are intelligently anticipating that you have too much light for no CO2, so okay, adjust your lighting or add floaters. Change your plant selection.

You certainly have enough gear and knowledge to have a rewarding setup and it sounds like the rewards will be as welcome as ever. Good luck to you and your cat.

11-20-2012 03:31 PM

DogFish

I've been an Under-Employed American Statistic for 18mos. I can completely understand your situation right about now. I think it's important to have some type of Hobby as an escape from the Stress.

For me the Dogs & the Aqua-Hobby stayed, although I've greatly downsized the Aquariums. I sadly lost a dog to Cancer a few weeks ago and for now, my other dog will the only dog in my home vs. the usual pack of 2-3 dogs I've had over the years.

Over the last 18mos. I've sold off all my other Hobby toys. Fortunately, they had enough value to help the cash flow.

My advice would be to seriously advertise that tank, so close to Christmas maybe someone will see the value and opportunity. Keep in mind you would NOT get the retail you paid. What is good for you is your ARE in Canada so supply/demand goes in your favor.

Best of luck.

11-20-2012 02:40 PM

Silmarwen

I don't have nearly as fancy of a tank, but as a college student I'm having to make-do with extremely limited funds as well. Everything I've got going on is low-tech, and lit with either stock lighting, or thrift-store lamps with cheap CFLs (store-brand 23 watt CFLs were on sale $.78 last week! I stocked up. And by stocked up, I mean I bought two... ) I'm just this side of struggling to pay rent, living on pasta and tinned tomatoes, but when I sit down in front of my tank, even as algae-infested as it is (I'm working on it...), I can watch my fish and take a deep breath and everything is okay for a little bit.

If you desperately need the money, sell things off. But if you're managing, as long as you don't spend any MORE money on the tank, I'd say keep it as a low-tech and take what comfort you can from it. I tried for a while, while trying to save up for a car, to live completely luxury-free. It was miserable, and not having a car is worth it (imo) if I can have a hobby and a few nice things in my life.

(Toothless kitty might enjoy it, too, if you give him a recovery bed close enough to the tank to see, but far enough to not jump in )